Extremist Fairchild Can Attend Party Powwow, Judge Says

June 14, 1986|By Rudolph Unger.

Mark Fairchild, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor and a follower of political extremist Lyndon LaRouche, must be allowed to attend Saturday`s state Democratic convention, but party officials will decide if he is allowed to deliver a speech, a Cook County Circuit Court judge ruled Friday.

Judge Anthony J. Scotillo issued a court order requiring state Democratic Party officials to permit Fairchild to attend and participate in the convention in Springfield.

The judge said he didn`t have the authority to force the party leaders to allow Fairchild to address the convention, although Scotillo suggested that he personally believed they should let the candidate speak.

``It think it is unfortunate that this suit had to be filed,`` the judge said. ``The people have decided who their choices will be. They happen to be in conflict with those who are temporarily in control of the party.``

Scotillo ruled in a lawsuit filed against State Sen. Vince Demuzio (D., Carlinville), chairman of the Demoratic State Central Committee, who had barred Fairchild and Janice Hart, Democratic candidate for secretary of state, from the convention. Like Fairchild, Hart is a LaRouche disciple. Fairchild and Hart defeated party endorsed candidates in the March 18 Democratic primary.

Scotillo`s ruling applies to both Faichild and Hart, but Hart currently is in West Germany campaigning for LaRouche-supported candidates in local elections there and will not attend the Springfield gathering.

During a hearing Friday, Scotillo learned by questioning Demuzio`s lawyer, Joseph Cari, that it is customary for candidates for statewide offices to address the convention.

``If all the other statewide candidates will be allowed to speak don`t you think it would be fair to allow these two to talk?`` Scotillo asked.

Cari replied that fairness was not the issue before the court. ``We are here because they are claiming a right under law (to speak) which they do not have.``

He said the convention rules to be adopted by the delegates will determine who is to speak.

Fairchild, who accused Demuzio of practicing ``exclusionary tactics``

later called Scotillo`s ruling ``a victory for the voters.`` He said he would like to speak at the convention, but will abide by the rules.